The antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin protects the urinary tract against invasive bacterial infection.
Nat Med
; 12(6): 636-41, 2006 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16751768
The urinary tract functions in close proximity to the outside environment, yet must remain free of microbial colonization to avoid disease. The mechanisms for establishing an antimicrobial barrier in this area are not completely understood. Here, we describe the production and function of the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides LL-37, its precursor hCAP-18 and its ortholog CRAMP in epithelial cells of human and mouse urinary tract, respectively. Bacterial contact with epithelial cells resulted in rapid production and secretion of the respective peptides, and in humans LL-37/hCAP-18 was released into urine. Epithelium-derived cathelicidin substantially contributed to the protection of the urinary tract against infection, as shown using CRAMP-deficient and neutrophil-depleted mice. In addition, clinical E. coli strains that were more resistant to LL-37 caused more severe urinary tract infections than did susceptible strains. Thus, cathelicidin seems to be a key factor in mucosal immunity of the urinary tract.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Sistema Urinario
/
Infecciones Urinarias
/
Urotelio
/
Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos
/
Infecciones por Escherichia coli
Límite:
Animals
/
Child
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Med
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
MEDICINA
Año:
2006
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Suecia